River bed protective construction



DeC l 1931- o. v. HOUGH T 1,834,060

RIVER BED PROTECTIVE CONSTRUCTION A Filed June 22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 1, 1931. o. v. HOUGH A RIVER BED PROTECTIVE CONSTRUCTION 1929 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 22,

Dec. 1, 1931. o. v. HOUGH 1,834,060

RIVER BED PROTECTIVE CONSTRUCTION Filed June/22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I L 3,5 .L if

mattress were fastened.

Patented Dec. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT. @man OTTO VERE S'IBFU'CT'ION COMPANY, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, A

RIVER BED. PROTECTIVE 'CONSTRUCTION Y applicati@ 1aed 'June 22,

` rlChe present invention relates to river bed protective Y constructions Y and the method of laying the same. Y c

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a novel method of constructing and placing a river bed protective covering on the bed of a river. Heretofore, in the construction of protective'coverings for the bed 'of streams, such asy mattresses, the mattress, duringv construction, was anchored and held in place by cables fastened tosome form of anchor resting on the bed of the stream, or connected to dead meniburied in the banks of the stream, or to piling driven intothe bed ot the stream. The vdriving of such piling could not be successfully carried out in deep water, nor was it possible to makevthe anchors resting on the bed of the stream hold, especially where' the current was swift and the bed ofthe stream somewhat smooth. Again, if the stream in which a protective covering was to be placed were wide, it was not feasible to use dead men on the banks kof the stream to which cables lhol'dingthe It is an object thereforeof the invention to eliminate these difficulties as met with in the present practice of layingva Vprotective covering on the bed of a stream and to provide a methody of constructing and laying mattress or the like, whether the stream be deep or shallow, wide or narrow.

' A further object'ofthe4 inventionk is to provide means for and a lmethod of ballasting the mattressV or protective covering on the bed of a, stream, wherein the ballastis positively rpositioned onthemattress. 1n the construction of `such protective devices, heretofore, the mattress was ballasted with loose rock, commonly called one man stone, such rock being 'dropped into place after the mattressh'adv taken a position on thebed of the stream. By dropping ballast onto the mattress or lprotective coveringin this manner, there was no assurance that the ballast would be evenly distributed over the mattress, nor was it possible'to accurately lay the ballast adjacent to the upstream edges of the mattress. -Where vthere was a deep, swift current in the stream, failure to material or both.l

1929. Serial No. 372,932.

edge of the mattress andto'undermineithey entirefstructure'. This current and pressure against the rolled edge of the mattress orprotective coveringwould cause'a working 'of thel loosely positioned 'ballast rock toward the downstream edge ofthe mattress, causing a further rolling of the mattress and likewise a greater surface exposure to the current in the stream with a consequential further and greater tendency for the rolling or working of the ballast rock toward the downstream side, until the mattress has been partially or whollydispaced.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel means for and method of ballasting a protective covering and anchoring such ballast so that any rolling and lap'pingfof the upstream edge of the mat will not cause a displacement of the ballast toward the downstreamY side of the mattress with av consequential rolling of the mat and its displacement from itsv position on the bed of the stream. A

The invention comprehends the idea of providing a means for and method of, whether with or without ballast, anchoring a mattress or protective covering on the bed ofa stream in such a way that the up-stream edge of the mattress will not roll and flap in the current of the streaml to present a surface against which the current will act to 'cause a displacement of the mattress.

The invention further comprehends the ROUGH, oF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, AssIGNon 'ro'woons BROTHER/sz. cori- C'onoRA'rIoNoF NEBRASKA` means for and method of utilizing the cable A used for mooring the --pontoon or barge upon which the mattress is constructed and continuously payed out therefrom, for the anchoring of the mattress or the ballasting A further obj ect of the inventionis to provide a`novel method of constructing ballasting means for a protective covering or mattress in the bed of a stream and a novel method of securing thisballasting means to a cable. In the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, a pre-cast concrete'bloc'k isprovided with a reinforcing rod having a loop portion extending beyond the end ofthe 100 block and a lbent portion of the rod at the i other end of the block. A cable clamp l or clip securely holds the loopend of the rod to the rcable, while a wire tie, slidable on the cable features are comprehended by the inventionV as will later appear, and as are'inherently possessed thereby. y A

Referring to the drawings: f

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of one'of the em-y bodiments selected to illustrate the invention, land showing the methodof laying and anchoring a river bed protective covering. f

Fig. 2 is a side view in elevation of theemf bodiment disclosed in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aside view .in elevation disclosing themethod of laying ballast to anchor a river bed protective covering which has already been positioned on the bed of the river. Y Fig. 4 is a side view in elevation of a mattress or river bed protective covering constructed inaccordance with the invention, the finishedmattress being floated by lbuoys'or the like until completed when it is cutV loose and assumes the position shown in dotted lines. Y l; I y Y Y Fig. is a top plan View of an embodiment constructed in accordance with the invention, the laying of the protective coverings being transversely of the thread of the stream', and showing in dotted lines the positioning of-a success'ivejcovering ork ymattress to be constructed and laid on the bottom Aof the stream or river. 1

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevationtalen in a plane represented by line 6 6 in Fig. 1 of the dra-wings, and showing in detail the Vmeans and method of securingthe ballast toA the mooring cable and the mooring cable tothe protective covering or mattress. I Fig.`7fis across-sectional view-taken in the plane, represented by the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Referring now more in vparticular to the drawings one; of the' embodimentsselected toillustra-te theY invention, comprises aprotective covering or mattress oi"-whichfsectionV 1 has' been constructed and laidin accordance withsthe invention, rWhile sections Zand 3 are 1in `the process of being. constructedand laid. The mattress A1,..and likewiseQ and 3- are constructedof boards rorsaplings t or the lik'etlie boards or saplings 'beinginten woven with each other and are4 held together by tie wire 5 or other means, 'beinginterwoven around the boardsor saplings to form a ieX- ible mattress. This mattress is built or con s'tructedfupon a barge Aor-pontoonv 6 having at onesid'e thereof capstans 7V around which is secured cables 8 having an end connected adapted to engage the cable-8 and to a pile 9 which is driven into the bed of the stream and below a point which would be subject to the eroding action of the current of the stream.

The Vmattress is woven and continuously payed outfover the edges ofthe barge or pontoon, and is provided at intervals with ballast comprising a precast concrete block 1 0, yas clearly shown in Fig. 6, the block 10 vhaving a `reinforcing rod 11 with a looped end 12 projecting from one end and a vbent portion 13 extending from the other end. As the mattress or protective covering is constructed and is pay-ed off over the edge of the barge or pontoon, the-same is ballasted by the ballast blocks 10 which are placed at intervals alongthe cables 8 and are secured to the Acables at their upstreamuendi by a cable clamp 4or. clip 14, a detailof which is clearly shown-in Figf of the drawings., This cable clamp or clip 111 isprovided with a body portion 15 having a circular bearing portion 16 is also provided with holes 17fat each end adapted to receivethe ends of a Ufbolt 18 engaging the loopedendof the rod 12 in the block 10 to hold the rod in afixed position against the cable 8 when the boltsf19 are drawn tight on the threaded ends of the U-bolt land against the body 'portion' 15. f A

1V ire ties 2O looped around the cable 8 are provided, the endsof which engage the bent end 13 of the rod 11 to position the down-V stream end of the precast block 10. The mattress or protective covering 3 is secured to the cable 8 by vcable clamps 21 similar to kthose shown as 14, these clamps 21 holding the wires 5 of the mattress 3`and cable 8 together on the upstream and downstream sides of the ballast blocks 10. It will be seen that the ballast blocks i10V are firmly secured to the cable `8 which in turn is secured to the wires 5 of themattress 3. 'It will lalso be apparent that the' cable 8 is not only used to hold the bargev or pontoon during the construction of the mattressybut is used tohold the mat in position during its construction and becomes part of and anchors rthe permanent protective covering vwhen the cable is cut looseto free the bar into `its final position. A p The widthof themattress being construct- ,ed .on the barge or pontoon'may vary to suit the conditions present at the point in thebed to .be protected. VIn a widestream, sections of kmattress:canfbe'constructed and laid in posige` and to let the mattress down mattresses. Likewise any number of'cables may be anchored to the piles 9, and the blocks may be spacedconsistent with-the proper construction yand ballasting of `the mattress to the` conditions present at the points in the bed of the river being protected'.

Fig. 3 discloses an embodiment illustrating theV invention where the mattress orprotective covering as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has been constructed and laid in place on the bed of the stream; The ballast blocks 10 are then secured at intervals to the cable 8 as described and are payed oft' over the side of the barge to assume their final position on the mattress or protective covering which has previously been laid on the bed of thestream. T he cable securely holds the ballast blocks in place and bears against the upstream edge of the mattress to preventfthe rolling of the edge and displacement which would result if the edge rolled or flapped in the current of the stream. Y

If desired, cross ties 20 may be connected at intervals between cables 8 and .at points between blocks 10.

Fig. l is still a further embodiment selected to illustrate the invention. Inthis illustrative embodiment of' the invention, the barge or pontoon 6a is securely anchored to the piles 9 by cables 8 connected to a binding post or capstan 7a, mooring or positioning the barge 6 upstream from the particular region or area of the bed of the stream to be protected by a mattress or protective cover,- ing. The mattress 3 is constructed on a barge such as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, and the ballasting blocks are secured in place as. described, and as the mattress with the ballast thereon is payed off over the sides of the barge, buoys 22 with c ables 23 are connected at intervals around the edges of the mattress,l as also upon the surface of same, to keep the mattress or` protective covering, together with the ballast, afloat until the section of mattress is completed. at which time .it is fastened to the mooring barge (5a-by the slip line 8b. Whenfthe mattress is in the position desired, the'slip line 8b is cut loose of the mooring barge and the'cables 23'are cut loos-e of the buoys 22 when the mattiress or protective covering will sink or settle into position with the anchoring cable 8 attached as clearly shown in dotted lines. v This insures accurate placing of the mattress in the location desired.

Fig. 5 is illustrative of the invention as Adisclosed and described in the previous figures enfbodying the invention.y This embodiment, however, discloses the construction and laying of a mattress such as 3a transversely of the thread of the stream. ln this embodimentpiles 9 are driven into the bed .of a stream, each one of them having a plurality of cables .such as 8 and 8b securedto the upper ends of the piles by any suitable means.

To'one of the piles'as 9, a barge such as ,6 is moored or anchored by cables 8 and connected to the barge or capstans 7. The mattiess such as 3 isy constructed on the barge 6,

operations starting or beginning at the shore line or bank 24 and proceeding towards the ycenter of the stream andthenee to the opposite bank. As the mattress or protective covering 3 is payed off over the edge of the barge G, precastzballast blocks l() connected as previously described to the cables 8, are posi- -tioued on the mattress 3, the cables 8 being connected, as rdescribed to the mattress 3Y by cable clamps or clips 21. The mattress 3 is will settle or sink to the kbed of the stream 'and is securely anchored in position by the cables 8 connected tothe piles 9.. Ifit be desi-red to lay a similar section of mattress such as 3" shownindotted line, alongside of the section of mattress 3, the barge 6 isbrouglit back to thebank24- and another section as 3b is constructed, the'cables 8 being-used' to anchor thel mattresssection 3b and to hold theballast block in place on the mattress. As many of these sections may be laid as desired and may beheld in vplace by cables similar to 8 and 8b anchored to the piles 9.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the latter is not limited. thereto but may comprehend other constructions, details, arrangements of'partS, features and prooesssteps without departing from the spirit thereof.: y Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:` A' f y 1. A stream bed protective covering comprising a mattress resting upon the surface of the stream bed, cables each anchored at one end below said bed at positions adjacent to said mattress, said cables each having a portion extended overA the top'of lsaid mattress, and `weighted members resting upon Vthe top of said mattress so as to ballast the f same, said weighted members being connected with the respective cables.

2. A stream bed protective coveringcomprisingA a mattress resting upon the surface of the stream bed, cables each anchored at one end belowthe bed of the stream atl positions adjacent to one edge of said mattress, said cables each having 4a continuous phor-v tion extended over the top of said mattress, vweighted members resting upon the top of said mattressso as to ballast the same, said weighted members being connected with the respective cables in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, and means connecting each cable to the mattress at positions between the l weighted members. .y v

3. A` stream bed protective covering comprising a mattress resting upon the bed of the stream, a plurality of cables each anchored at one end below the bed of the stream kand payed on' over the edge of the barge 6 and loo Til)

having portions extended over thetop of the Vmattress, aY plurality of spaced apart weights resting Aupon the top of said mattress, each `of. said .weighted members havingits upstream end securely connected to its cable, means for loosely connecting the other'end of each weighted member to itsfcable'so as to yfacilitate positioning of said members during the construction of the protective covering, and tol also prevent lateral displacement of said weighted members with weights resting upon the top of said mat-.

tress, each of saidweighted members having'its up-stream end securely'connect'ed to ...its cable, means for loosely connecting the other end of each weighted'member to its cable'so as to facilitate positioning of said members during the construction of the protective covering and to also prevent lateral displacement of said weighted members with respect to the mattress, and means for Vsecuring the overlying portions of said cables tosaid mattress at positions between said weighted members.

' 5. stream kbed'protective covering comprising a mattress resting upon the surface of the stream bed, cables each securely anchored at' one end inlsaid bed, continuous portions of said cables extending over the vtop of said mattress and bearing against the 11p-stream edge thereof so as to prevent curling of themattress, and ballast members connected to said cables and resting upon the top of said mattress, said ballast members being arranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the respective cables.

6.'A stream bed protective covering comprising a mattress resting upon the bed'of the stream, a plurality of cables4 each anchored at one end below the bed of the stream and having'a portion extendedv over the top of the mattress, said last mentioned Vportions being connected to the mattress at spaced apart intervals, and ballast members between: a pair of the .connections between thev cable and the'mattress and beneath the portion of the cable extending between said connections. i

` 7.v A stream bed protective covering comprising a'mattress'V resting uponv the bed of the stream, av plurality of cables each anchored at one end below the bed of the stream and having a portion extended` over the top of the mattress, said last mentioned portions being connected to the mattress at spaced apart intervals, ballast members resting upon said mattress and each-lying between a pair resting upon said mattress and each lyingV of the connections between the cable and the mattress and beneathv the portion of the cable extending between said connections, and means connecting the ends of each ballast member to that portionv of the cable which overlie the same. v

8. In a method of anchoring a mattress to theV bed of a stream, the steps of placing a Vmattress upon said bed, ballasting said matof a cable'below tress by'anchoring one end the stream bed adjacent one edge of said mattress, connecting ballast to a continuous portion of said cable at spaced apartlocations and extending said continuous portion of the cable over said mattress, and allowing said cable and the attached ballast to sink into the stream until `the ballast rests upon said mattress. i

9. A method 'of constructing'a protective 'covering for the bed of a stream comprising the steps of anchoring one end of a cable to the bed of a stream and attaching a barge to said cable, constructing a mattress upon said barge, connecting ballast to a continuous portion of said cable, paying out the mattress from saidV barge and simultaneously paying out the ballast laden cable over the top of said mattress, and allowing the mattress and the 'ballast laden cable to sink into the stream until they rest upon the' bed thereof with the ballast on top of 'the mattress, so that when the barge is released from said cable the overlying ballast laden cable will hold the mattress on the bed of the stream,

10. A method of constructing a protective covering for the bed of a stream comprising the steps of anchoring one end of a cable to the bed of a streamand attaching a barge to said cable, constructing a mattress upon said barge, connecting ballast to a continuous portion of said cable, connecting said ballast laden cable to the top of said mattress so that the cable overlies the mattress, and paymg out the mattress and ballast laden cable from the barge and allowing them to sink into the stream until the mattress rests upon the stream bed with theballast resting upon the mattress and the Acable overlying said mattress, and finally releasing thebarge from said cable.V

1-1. In a method of securing a mattress to the bed of astream, thestepof placing a mattress'on said Abed,ianchorin one end of a cable below the bed of the stream ,at a 'position up-stream from an edge of said'mat4r- Y tress, buoyantly supportingthe'main portion of the cable, securing. ballast to said,4 cable, and* paying out the cable and attached ballast by a down stream movement with respect to the anchoredend of the cable and sinking the ballast laden cable until the ballast rests upon the mattress and the cable overlies the same. n

l2. In a method of constructing a protecn tive covering for the bed of a stream, the

steps of securing each of a plurality of cables at one end below the bed of a stream, forming a ballast mattress upon a barge moored to certain of said cables, securing continuous portions of other of said cables to the top of said mattress and attaching ballast members to said cable portions, buoyantly supporting the ends of said mattress with the superposed cable portions and ballast members, and finally depriving the mattress and the superposed cable portions and ballast members of their buoyant support and allowing them to sink to the bed of the stream.

13. In a method of constructing ka protective covering for the bed of a stream, the steps of securing one end of each of a plurality of cables belowthe bed of a stream, buoyantly supporting a mattress and eX- tending portions of said cables over the top of the mattress and securing them thereto, providing the mattress with weighted members, and inally releasing the mattress from its buoyant support and allowing it to sink to the bed of the stream with the weighted members and cables on the top thereof.

ln witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe specieation.

my name to this OTTO VERE HOUGH. 

